In 2017, we began recognizing reviewers who have distinguished themselves by consistently providing insightful, detailed, and valuable input to our authors and our editorial team. We continue the tradition this year by inducting six remarkable reviewers into the AJKD Reviewer Hall of Fame. The editors thank and congratulate these reviewers, all of whom shared why they participate in the peer review process below:

Marisa Battistella, PharmD @marisabatt100
University of Toronto
University Health Network

“Peer review helps ensure that the research published meets the highest standards of quality, accuracy, and reliability. As a reviewer I learn so much and it also enhances my critical thinking and analytical skills. As a peer reviewer I am able to keep updated with the latest developments in the medical field. By participating in peer review, I feel that I have contributed to the advancement of knowledge and it is a great way to give back to the academic community and support the integrity of scholarly communication.”

L. Parker Gregg, MD @LParkerGregg1
Baylor College of Medicine
VA HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt)

“Thoughtful, constructive peer review is essential for ensuring that the highest quality and most trustworthy research gets disseminated. Participating in the process keeps me connected to the ideal that that the peer reviewer’s role is to strengthen and contextualize new knowledge, with the ultimate shared goal of advancing science and human health.”

Yoshio Hall, MD
VA Puget Sound Health Care System
University of Washington

“Scientific equity, integrity, and reproducibility owe much to peer review. While the research community places great value on unbiased veracity, I take reward in helping authors seek resolutions. I find that the process of peer review promotes inquiry and fortifies learning.”

S. Ali Husain, MD @SAHusainMD
Columbia University Medical Center

“Being a peer reviewer allows me to be an active contributor to improving the science in my field. It is also a fulfilling way to learn about scientific progress and ways to improve my own work. I also learn a lot from reading other referees’ reviews, and encourage other early career reviewers to also take the time to go through decision letters for manuscripts they have reviewed.”

Judy Savige, PhD
University of Melbourne

“We all rely on peer review to improve the quality of our own submitted manuscripts. Peer review is a way to find out what is going on in our field and to bring manuscripts to our attention; and it’s about belonging to a community of clinicians and researchers. My advice to new reviewers would be to aim to help improve the manuscript, help correct any errors, suggest important relevant manuscripts that may have been overlooked, and make sure figures are legible and tables are clear.”

Keiichi Sumida, MD @keiichi_sumida
University of Tennessee Health Science Center

“Peer review is a cornerstone of academic and scientific integrity, ensuring that studies are rigorous, accurate, and contribute meaningfully to the field. Participating in peer review has consistently enhanced the quality of my own research and writing. As a reviewer, I take pleasure in offering feedback that is fair, thorough, and constructive, while maintaining a respectful and objective tone. I believe this approach helps foster a collaborative and productive academic environment.”

Congratulations again to these reviewers! The full list of reviewers in the AJKD Reviewer Hall of Fame is available here.